Group Discussion Starters – 1st & 2nd Peter Review
Take a few minutes to reflect on the past 13 weeks of 1st and 2nd Peter. Have each person in the group share a significant verse or life lesson that they discovered or learned during the series.

Believers are constantly exposed to a world whose effort is to discredit the church and to destroy its integrity. Christians, however, should silence the critics by the power of holy lives in the face of adversity and attack. In his letters, Peter knows that his Christian friends need to be strengthened in their faith in order to stand firm and live out those lives. We need his truth and assurances just as much today.

Consider the 7 assurances Peter leaves the church in his last letters.

Assurance of our salvation
Assurance of our destination
Assurance of our identity
Assurance in our suffering
Assurance of our knowledge
Assurance that God is able and will  judge rightly
Assurance of the gospel promise
The purpose of this letter was to teach them how to live victoriously in the midst of hostility: 1) without losing hope; 2) without becoming bitter; 3) while trusting in their Lord; and 4) while looking for His second coming. Peter wished his readers to live an obedient, victorious life under the stress of the world.

How do these assurances help you to live properly in spite of your circumstances? What effect do they have on the accusations of the world against the church, or even perhaps accusations or opposition that has been directed at you personally?

Take time to encourage one another in prayer and set times in your calendar to meet together as individuals outside of the group for a coffee, or even just make a phone call. The Christian life is lived together in community for mutual encouragement and support. – Keep it up!